Optic fiber cable guide assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly for guiding an optic fiber cable comprising a tray configured to move between a first position and a second position and a guide. A first end portion of the guide is configured to move relative to the tray during operation and a second end portion is configured to move with the tray during operation. The guide comprises a bend limiting passage configured to follow a curve shape having a radius that is greater than a predetermined minimum bend radius and such that an optic fiber that is received between the first end portion of the guide and the second end portion of the guide follows the curve shape so as to prevent the optic fiber from becoming snagged on the tray, hindering movement of the tray or becoming overly bent during operation of the assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/120,617 filed on Dec. 14, 2020 which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/546,492filed on Aug. 21, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,866,379, which claimsbenefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/722,556 filed on Aug. 24, 2018 and which is incorporated hereinin its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optic fiber cable guide assembly. Inparticular, the present invention relates to an assembly comprising acable guide that guides a fibre optic cable to a device mounted on amoveable tray.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Enclosures which house fiber optic equipment such as cross-connects orthe like terminate a large number of fiber optic cables. Additionally,in many installations given limited space, enclosures are only easilyaccessible via the front of the enclosure for servicing or modifyingconnections or the like which requires that fiber optic cables bothenter and exit the enclosure via the front. In order to provide ease ofaccess to modules held within the enclosures, especially to the rear andwithout the necessity of removing the modules, slideable trays areprovided which can be pulled forward to allow access to the modules. Onedrawback of such designs is that fiber optic cables entering the frontof the enclosure become snagged on the trays which can lead to thembeing damaged or broken, or hindering the movement of the tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to address the above and other drawbacks there is provided afiber optic cross connect system for interconnecting a first externalequipment with a second external equipment. The system comprises anenclosure comprising a top, a bottom, a first side and a second sidedefining a tray receiving space therebetween, a slideable tray arrangedhorizontally and moveable between a stored position wherein the tray iswithin the tray receiving space and an extended position wherein thetray is substantially in front of the tray receiving space, an elongatefiber optic terminating equipment arranged on the tray for movementtherewith and comprising a first interface arranged along a rearwardedge and a second interface arranged along a forward edge, a firstplurality of fiber optic cables each comprising a first end terminatedat the first interface and a second end for termination at the firstexternal equipment, a second plurality of fiber optic cables eachcomprising a first end terminated at the second interface and a secondend for termination at the second external equipment, a flexible cableguide for guiding the first plurality of fiber optic cables andcomprising a first end attached to an outside of the first side of theenclosure and defining an entrance, a second end attached to the trayadjacent the first side and an intermediate section between the firstend and the second end comprising a plurality of spaced cable retainersinterconnected by a elongate flexible side band, each of the cableretainers defining a cable passage wherein the plurality of cablepassages together define a cable passageway arranged along the sideband, the intermediate section comprising a curve delimited by the sideband, the first end and the second end defining an access to the cablepassageway in a direction the cable tray is extendable.

There is also provided a flexible cable guide for guiding a plurality offiber optic cables from outside of an enclosure, the enclosurecomprising a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side defining atray receiving space therebetween, to inside the enclosure fortermination at a network equipment on a tray, the tray slideablehorizontally between a stored position wherein the tray is within thetray receiving space and an extended position wherein the tray issubstantially in front of the tray receiving space. The guide comprisesa first end for attachment to an outside of the first side of theenclosure and defining an entrance, a second end for attachment to thetray adjacent the first side, and an intermediate section between thefirst end and the second end comprising a plurality of spaced cableretainers interconnected by an elongate flexible side band, each of thecable retainers defining a cable passage wherein the plurality of cablepassages together define a cable passageway arranged along the sideband. When the first end is attached to the enclosure and the second endis attached to the tray, the intermediate section maintains a constantcurve during sliding of the tray, the side band delimits an outside ofthe constant curve and both the first end and the second end define anaccess to the cable passage in a direction of extending the cable tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a raised right front perspective view of a fiber opticcross connect system comprising a flexible cable guide in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A provides a raised right front perspective view of a tray offiber optic cross connect system comprising a flexible cable guide in astored position and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B provides a raised right front perspective view of a tray offiber optic cross connect system comprising a flexible cable guide in anextended position and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3A provides a raised right front perspective view of a flexiblecable guide in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B provides a raised left perspective view of an end of a flexiblecable guide and mounting plates in accordance with illustrativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 provides a partial raised left front perspective sectional viewof a fiber optic cross connect system comprising a flexible cable guidein accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 provides a raised right front perspective view of a flexiblecable guide in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a flexible cable guide, generally referred tousing the reference numeral 10, will be described. The flexible cableguide 10 is illustratively foreseen for use in a cross connect system12. The cross connect system 12 illustratively comprises an enclosure 14dimensioned for mounting on a 19″ rack 16 or the like. The enclosure 14comprises a top, bottom, first side and second side and defines a trayreceiving space which houses one or more trays 18 which are arrangedhorizontally and slideably mounted and moveable between a storedposition where the tray 18 is within the enclosure 14 and an extendedposition where the tray 18 is positioned in front of the enclosure 14and accessible, for example by a technician or the like.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , elongate fiber optic terminating equipment20 such as fiber optic cassettes are illustratively arranged on the tray18 for movement therewith. The terminating equipment 20 comprises afirst interface terminating one or more of a first plurality of fiberoptic cables 22 and a second interface for terminating one or more of asecond plurality of fiber optic cables 24 and illustratively such thatthe first plurality of fiber optic cables 22 and the second plurality offiber optic cables 24 are interconnected. Such cassettes 20 areremovably mounted in trays 18 for example through the provision of tabs26 which engage with tab receiving mounts 28 in the tray 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, as discussed above each of the trays18 is moveable on runners 30, which run in complementary channels 32attached to an inner surface of the enclosure 14, between a storedposition (FIG. 2A) and an extended position (FIG. 2B). A lever 34 isprovided to release a latch (not shown) which holds the tray 18 in thestored position. The first plurality of fiber optic cables 22 are heldin a cable way 36 which provides side access to the rear 38 of the tray18. The flexible cable guide 10 is placed in the cable way 36 andremovably secured at a first end 40 to an outside of the enclosure 14and at a second end 42 to the tray 18 for movement therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, in a first embodiment the flexible cable guide10 is illustratively manufactured in one piece from a pliable materialsuch as a flexible plastic or rubber or the like. The flexible cableguide 10 comprises an elongate ribbon-like side band 44 whichillustratively comprises a series of transverse notches 46 spacedregularly along a length thereof, thereby improving flexibility. Aplurality of cable retainers 48 are spaced along the side band 44. Theretainers 48 each comprise a recloseable cover 50 allowing one or morefiber optic cables 22 to be secured using the cable guide 10, orremoved. A divider 52 is provided separating each retainer 48 into two(2) cable passages 54 when closed. The first end 40 and the second end42 each comprise a plurality of flexible fingers 56 which serve toretain the cables 22 within the cable guide 10 while allowing them to beremoved as necessary. Together the retainers 48 and their respectivecable passages 54 define a cable passageway arranged generally along theside band 44.

Referring back to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B in addition to FIG. 3A, the firstend 40 of the cable guide 10 is secured to the outside of the enclosure14 at a point proximate to where the first plurality of fiber opticcables 22 will enter the enclosure 14. The second end 42 is secured tothe tray 18 for movement therewith. An intermediate portion of the cableguide 10 is flexible and curved and such that the side band 44 delimitsan outside of the curve. A person of ordinary skill in the art will nowunderstand that as the tray 18 is moved between the stored position andthe extended position the location of the curve within the intermediatesection of the side band 44 will change in order to accommodate themovement of the tray 18. In this manner movement of the first pluralityof fiber optic cables 22 is limited and such that they are not subjectto excess strain and the like. Additionally, the first plurality offiber optic cables 22 of one tray 18 are prevented from fouling orotherwise impeding the movement of the other trays 18.

Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B in addition to FIG. 3A, duringinstallation of the first plurality of fiber cables 22 the tray 18 isfirst placed in the extended position and the covers 50 opened. One ormore fiber optic cables 22 are placed within selected one of thepassages 54 and interconnected with respective ones of the cassettes 20.The covers 50 may then be closed the tray 18 placed in stored positionof FIG. 2A. If fiber optic cables 22 must be removed or additionalcables 22 added, the tray 18 is simply placed again in the extendedposition and the covers 50 opened.

Referring now to FIG. 3B in addition to FIG. 3A, in order to removablysecure the first end 40 to an outside of the enclosure 14 a plurality ofhorizontally extending mounting plates 52 are provided. The mountingplates 52 are arranged in vertical alignment and equally spaced suchthat the first ends 40 of each of the flexible cable guides 10 may beslid horizontally between successive ones of the mounting plates 52. Theends 40 are retained in place through the combination of pairs ofopposed raised guides 54 and pairs of flexible bosses 56 which are heldwithin channels 58 moulded or otherwise formed within the mounting plate52. In this manner the first end 40 can be released and re-secured suchthat additional optical fibers (not shown) can be mounted within thecable guide 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 , in an alternative embodiment the covers50 which provide access to the cable retainers 48 are removeable andfabricated from a relatively rigid material such as plastic or the like.Each cover 50 is secured to its respective cable retainers 48 at aproximate end via a hinge assembly 60 comprising a pair of clips 62which receive a shaft 64 and about which the cover 50 can rotate. Eachcover 50 can be opened thereby allowing one or more fiber optic cables22 to be retained by or removed from the cable guide 10. Each cover 50may be subsequently be closed and retained in place by a tab 66 formedon an inside of a distal end 68 of each cover 50 and which engages arespective one of a plurality of tab receiving cut outs 70 moulded inthe side band 44. A bevelled surface 72 is provided adjacent each cutout 70 to ease closing. When closed, a middle portion of each cover 50is stabilised by a boss 74 which engages a slot 76 in the cover 50.Covers 50 of different trays 18 can be colour coded to improve cablemanagement and the like.

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , in an alternative embodiment thecable guide 10 further comprises a pull tab 78 at the first end 40 toaid in removing the first end 40 from between the mounting plates 52. Inorder to ease reinsertion of the first end 40 between the mountingplates 52 an upper guide 80 and a lower guide 82 are provided whichengage an outer edge 88 of respectively an upper mounting plate 52 and alower mounting plate 52. The first end 40 is held between the mountingplates 52 by a flexible clip 90 which engages a cut out 92 in an upperone of the mounting plates 52.

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , in an alternative embodiment aplurality of flexible fingers 94 are provided at both ends of the cableguide 10 to removeable retain the one or more fiber optic cables 22there between. Additionally, the second end 42 comprises a flange 96comprising a conical aperture 98 for receiving a screw 100 or the likefor securing the second 42 to the tray 18. The screw 100 works togetherwith a ridge 102 which engages an aperture (not shown) in the tray 18 inorder to retain the second end 42 securely for movement with the tray18.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way ofspecific embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing fromthe spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in theappended claims.

1. An optic fiber cable guide assembly comprising: an enclosure; a tray;a cable guide comprising a first end, a second end, a flexible bandbetween the first end and the second end, and a cable retainer; adevice; wherein the tray is configured to slide between a first positionwhere the tray is within the enclosure and a second position where thetray is at least partially in front of the enclosure; wherein the firstend is configured to be immoveable with respect to the enclosure;wherein the second end is configured to be moved with the tray; whereinthe retainer is configured to define a passage between the first end andthe second end along the flexible band; wherein the flexible bandcomprises a surface that is configured to extend along a right anglerelative to at least a portion of the passage; wherein at least a firstportion of the passage is configured to extend along a first directionadjacent the first end of the cable guides that is opposite andsubstantially parallel to a second direction of at least second portionof the passage that is located adjacent to the second end of the cableguide; wherein the cable retainer is configured to receive at least aportion of an optic fiber cable along the passage; and wherein when thetray is slid between the first position and the second position, atleast a portion of the passage is configured to follow a curve of about180 degrees and have a constant radius, and at least a portion of theoptic fiber cable between the first end and the second end is configuredto follow the curve so as to prevent the optic fiber cable from becomingsnagged on the tray, hindering movement of the tray or becoming overlybent.
 2. The optic fiber cable guide assembly of claim 1, wherein theretainer comprises a plurality of retainers spaced along the flexibleband.
 3. The optic fiber cable guide assembly of claim 1, wherein theenclosure is configured to be mounted to a 19″ rack.
 4. The optic fibercable guide assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality oftrays, a plurality of cable guides, and a plurality of devices, whereineach of the plurality of trays is configured to independently slidebetween the first position and the second position, wherein the secondend of each of the plurality of cable guides is configured to be movedwith a connected one of the plurality of trays, and wherein each of thecable retainers is configured to receive at least one optic fiber thatis configured to be terminated with at least one of the plurality ofdevices that are configured to be mounted on the connected one of theplurality of trays.
 5. An assembly for guiding an optic fiber cable thatmay be terminated at a device comprising: a tray; a cable guidecomprising a first end portion, a second end portion, an intermediateportion between the first end portion and the second end portion, and aretaining portion; wherein the tray is configured to slide between afirst position and a second position; wherein the first end portion isconfigured to move relative to the tray during operation of theassembly; wherein the second end portion is configured to move with thetray during operation of the assembly; wherein the tray is configured toreceive a device; wherein the retaining portion is configured to definea passage between the first end portion and the second end portion alongthe intermediate portion; wherein at least a first portion of thepassage that is located adjacent to the first end portion of the cableguide extends along a first direction that is opposite to andsubstantially parallel with a second direction of at least a secondportion of the passage that is located adjacent to the second endportion of the cable guide; wherein the retaining portion is configuredto receive at least a portion of an optic fiber cable along a receivingportion of the passage; wherein when the tray is slid between the firstposition and the second position, a first curved passage portion of thepassage is configured to follow a curve of 180 degrees and have asubstantially constant radius, and a curved fiber portion of the opticfiber cable that is located between the first end portion and the secondend portion of the cable guide is configured to follow the curvedpassage portion so as to prevent the curved fiber portion of optic fibercable from becoming snagged on the tray, hindering movement of the trayor becoming overly bent during operation of the assembly.
 6. Theassembly for guiding an optic fiber cable that may be terminated at adevice of claim 5, wherein the retaining portion comprises a pluralityof retaining portions spaced along the intermediate portion.
 7. Theassembly for guiding an optic fiber cable that may be terminated at adevice of claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion is elongate andcomprises a substantially flat portion and a surface portion thatextends at a right angle relative to the passage.
 8. The assembly forguiding an optic fiber cable that may be terminated at a device of claim6, wherein the substantially flat elongate intermediate portioncomprises a plurality of transverse notches spaced regularly along alength thereof.
 9. The assembly for guiding an optic fiber cable thatmay be terminated at a device of claim 5, wherein the retainer portioncomprises a cover that is configured to provide access to the passage.10. The assembly for guiding an optic fiber cable that may be terminatedat a device of claim 5, wherein the retainer portion comprises aplurality of retaining structures that are evenly spaced along theintermediate portion.
 11. The assembly for guiding an optic fiber cablethat may be terminated at a device of claim 9, wherein the cover isconfigured to be hingedly mounted to a cable retainer.
 12. The assemblyfor guiding an optic fiber cable that may be terminated at a device ofclaim 5, wherein the tray is configured to be slidingly mounted in anenclosure and wherein the first end portion of the cable guide isconfigured to be attached to a side portion of the enclosure.
 13. Theassembly for guiding an optic fiber cable that may be terminated at adevice of claim 12, wherein the first end portion of the cable guide isconfigured to be selectively detached from the side portion of theenclosure.
 14. An assembly for guiding an optic fiber cable comprising:a tray configured to move between a first position and a secondposition; and a guide member comprising a first end portion, a secondend portion, and an intermediate portion located between the first endportion and the second end portion; wherein the first end portion isconfigured to move relative to the tray during operation of theassembly; wherein the second end portion is configured to move with thetray during operation of the assembly; wherein the guide membercomprises a passage that is located between the first end portion andthe second end portion along the intermediate portion; wherein when thetray moves between the first position and the second position, a bendlimiting passage portion of the passage is configured to follow a curveshape having a curve radius that is greater than a predetermined opticalfiber minimum bend radius such that an optic fiber portion of an opticfiber that is received between the first end portion of the guide memberand the second end portion of the guide member is configured to followthe curve shape so as to prevent the optic fiber portion of the opticfiber cable from becoming snagged on the tray, hindering movement of thetray or becoming overly bent during operation of the assembly.
 15. Theassembly for guiding an optic fiber cable of claim 14, wherein the curveshape comprises a substantially 180 degree curve shape.
 16. The assemblyfor guiding an optic fiber cable of claim 14, wherein the curve radiuscomprises a constant curve radius.
 17. The assembly for guiding an opticfiber cable of claim 14, wherein the passage includes a first portionthat is located adjacent to the first end portion of the guide memberand extends along a first direction that is opposite to andsubstantially parallel with a second direction of a second portion ofthe passage that is located adjacent to the second end portion of theguide member.
 18. The assembly for guiding an optic fiber cable of claim14, wherein the guide member comprises a cable retainer portion betweenthe first end portion and the second end portion, and wherein the cableretainer portion is configured to receive at least a portion the opticfiber cable during operation of the assembly.
 19. The assembly forguiding an optic fiber cable of claim 18, wherein the cable retainerportion comprises a plurality of cable retainers spaced along theintermediate portion of the guide member, wherein the plurality of cableretainers together define the portion of the passage that extendsbetween the first end portion and the second end portion, and whereineach of the plurality of cable retainers are configured to receive atleast a portion the optic fiber cable during operation of the assembly.